Chapter 21
Helena- [angrily] I will not have that insipid girl bearing Nikolas’s child!
Stefan- There’s nothing you can do about it…
Helena- Yes there is…
Stefan- Mother do not interfere in this…
Helena- If it takes my dying breath I will remove that… [shaking her head] that girl from Nikolas’s life…
Stefan- [softly] Mother…
Having heard about Gia’s pregnancy through second hand sources both Helena and Stefan were furious. Though for different reasons they were now together discussing the future of Nikolas. In Helena’s eyes Gia could or would never be good enough to be with Nikolas let alone produce an heir with him. In her eyes Gia was beneath Nikolas in every aspect and the only thing she was good for was warming his bead at night. For so long Nikolas had been her only hope of continuing the Cassadine lineage but if he were truly to have a child with that girl all the plans she had would be ruined. And as of yet Helena was not ready to let go of them. And regardless to Stefan had to say she would somehow find a way to remove Gia and her child from Nikolas’s life. Nikolas’s best interest furthermost in her mind Helena knew exactly what she had to do and hopefully she would could garner Stefan’s support as well as help in the matter.
Looking at his mother Stefan shook his head as he slowly walked towards the window. Though he never told Nikolas Stefan had long ago accepted Gia as part of Nikolas’s life. She gave to him something being a Cassadine did not afford you… love. Seeing the smile that forever crossed Nikolas’s handsome face Stefan was silently proud of the choices and decisions Nikolas had made. He had been given a chance at life and love and he took them. Though he had learn to accept them Stefan still did not approve of them having a child together. Having a child with Gia would forever join Nikolas to her and as with Helena all the plans he had for him would be squashed.
Helena- Stefan have you been listening to a word I said…
Stefan- [continuing to stare out of the window] Quite frankly mother no…
Helena- How is Nikolas to lead this family if that unsuitable girl is with him?
Stefan- How is Nikolas and Ms. Campbell’s relationship stopping him from running the family?
Helena- I do not approve of her and nothing you say to me can convince me that you do…
Stefan- Do not put words into my mouth Helena…
Helena- What do you plan to do to stop this unfortunate union?
Stefan- Nothing…
Helena- Nothing? Not only have they created a child together Nikolas has also professed his desire to marry her…
Stefan- [shaking his head] That will never happen…
Helena- [slowly smiling] So finally you see things as I do…
Stefan- I would not attempt to go that far however…
Helena- We must do whatever we have to do to keep this from happening.
Stefan- [looking intently at Helena] I will not hurt Nikolas…
Helena- I have no plans to…
Stefan- Nor will I allow Ms. Campbell to be injured and/or hurt…
Helena- If she is injured it would be an unfortunate circumstance but it is not my intention to hurt her…
Stefan- What do you have in mind Mother?
Helena- Well…
Before Helena could complete her statement Alexis came into Stefan’s study interrupting their conversation.
Alexis- What’s going on here?
Helena- Nothing you need to concern yourself with…
Alexis- [ignoring Helena looking intently at Stefan] Stefan…
Stefan- [nothing his head] Nothing you need to worry about…
Alexis- [shaking her head looking back and forth between Stefan and Helena] Do not interfere in his life Stefan…
Helena- Then what would you suggest us to do? Go along with this idiotic idea of them producing a child together?
Alexis- It is his life…
Helena- And it will be in ruins if we allow this to continue…
Alexis- [looking at Stefan] He is happy… why take that away from him? Why…
Helena- No one expects you to understand…
Alexis- [turning her gaze on Helena] What is that supposed to mean?
Helena- You were content to be some lowly American rock musician’s wife… it is obvious that proper decorum is not your best trait.
Alexis- [shaking her head turning back to Stefan] You can’t do this to him…
Stefan- I have done nothing to Nikolas Alexis…
Alexis- But you plan to right?
Stefan- Nikolas is the Cassadine heir… what would you expect me to do?
Alexis- Nothing… let him be happy. Let me have something neither of us was ever given a chance to have…
Stefan- What…
Alexis- [softly] A life…
Helena- This is useless… Gia Campbell must be removed from Nikolas’s life before it is too late…
Alexis- [looking intently at Stefan] Have you seen Nikolas lately?
Stefan- [softly] Yes…
Alexis- Then you’ve seen the smile that never leaves his face… Or the sparkle in his eyes whenever the mention of Gia or their baby is brought up.
Stefan- Alexis…
Alexis- I was there that day in Kelly’s when Nikolas announced their engagement as well as the fact that they were having a child together…
Helena- So…
Alexis- That was the proudest I have seen Nikolas… he finally found something that was his… something that had nothing to do with him being the Cassadine heir…
Helena- That has little to no consequence…
Alexis- If you attempt to come between he and Gia…
Helena- Attempt? I will succeed in anything I have to do to secure my grandson’s future.
Alexis- By harming the woman he loves and their child?
Stefan- No one is going to injure Ms. Campbell or her child…
Alexis- Their child… Nikolas and Gia’s child… [shaking her head] whether you want to accept it or not the child she is caring is Nikolas’s and if you do something to Gia or that baby you will lose him forever…
Stefan- As I said no one is going to injure Ms. Campbell or her… their child…
Alexis- [shaking her head] Don’t do this Stefan… after all it took to get you and Nikolas back together don’t risk that now…
Helena- [rising as she prepared to leave] This is useless… Stefan give me a call when you decide to do something about this… situation… [looking pointedly at Alexis] Alexis…
Alexis- [watching Helena leave before turning back to Stefan] Don’t go along with her Stefan… don’t ruin what little bit of happiness Nikolas has…
Stefan- [softly] I’m not Alexis…
Alexis- He’s happy Stefan… allow him to stay that way before the harshness of the world and being a Cassadine comes crashing down on him…
Nodding Stefan continued to stare out of the window effectively ending his conversation with Alexis. Sighing as she shook her head Alexis left not knowing if her words had any effect on Stefan. After Alexis had been gone for several minutes Helena returned to Stefan’s study ready to continue their conversation.
Helena- [softly] So are you now ready to hear what I have to say?
Nodding Stefan turned his attention back to Helena listening to all she said.
Chapter 22
Given a brief reprieve from Nikolas’s constant watch Gia went in search of Elizabeth finding her sitting alone in the living room writing feverishly on a notepad.
Gia- [smiling] What are you doing?
Liz- Writing down everything I think we will need…
Gia- We?
Liz- Yeah Jason, Elena, and me…
Gia- [smiling] Oh for a second there I thought you were planning everything for my wedding…
Liz- [smiling as she waved another notepad at Gia] I already did that…
Gia- [laughing] Oh…
Liz- Seriously though… we are going to need so much stuff. Especially for Elena… one of the best things about being in New Mexico… we had so much space. Jason and Elena would be all over the yard and whatnot… [sighing] now we will be living in an apartment for the time being…
Gia- [softly as she touched her arm] Everything is ok isn’t? I know Nikolas asked earlier but…
Liz- [softly as she shook her head] Everything is fine…
Gia- If you need… if you ever need to talk to someone…
Liz- [smiling quickly covering her hand] You will be the first person I call…
Gia- [smiling] Ok…
Liz- Have you thought about names yet?
Gia- [looking through a bridal magazine] Names for what?
Liz- Your baby…
Gia- [laughing] Oh…
Liz- [laughing] Oh?
Gia- I swear that was the last thing on my mind… obviously…
Liz- [smiling] Obviously…
Gia- But as far as names go… we haven’t really discussed anything yet… but I tell you when we do…
Liz- What?
Gia- It will be major drama…
Liz- [smiling] Why would you say that?
Gia- [hearing Nikolas coming down the stairs] Because Nikolas is going on want some old stuffy name…
Liz- And you?
Gia- [winking at Elizabeth] I was thinking about something along the lines as Starlight for our daughter or maybe Moonbeam for our son…
Nikolas- [coming around the couch] I don’t think so…
Gia- Come on those are cool names…
Nikolas- Since when?
Gia- [smiling] You gotta loosen up Nik…
Nikolas- [shaking his head] I’ll never get that loose…
Gia- [smiling as she went over to him] I know and… [quickly bending to kiss him] that’s why I love you…
Nikolas- [smiling] Yeah I know… [laughing as she playfully hit at him] what are you guys up to?
Liz- Just writing a to do list…
Nikolas- Gia?
Gia- Nothing… I was just chilling talking with Elizabeth… why?
Nikolas- [looking at his watch] I think it’s about that time…
Gia- Huh?
Nikolas- [rubbing his stomach] It’s lunchtime… you should eat something…
Gia- [smiling] Are you going to cook me something?
Nikolas- I got a better idea… why don’t we go out for lunch…
Gia- That’s cool… [turning to look at Elizabeth] you coming?
Liz- [shaking her head] No you two go along…
Gia- [laughing] Come on it’ll be fun… we can order up a lot of stuff… pick over it… and stiff Nikolas with the bill…
Liz- [softly smiling] No… I think it’ll be better if you guys went by yourselves… besides I’m waiting on a call from Jason…
Nikolas- He’s calling you on your cellphone right?
Liz- [softly] Yeah…
Nikolas- Then come with us…
Liz- I don’t know…
Nikolas- You can’t hide away from Lucky… you’re going to run into him eventually…
Liz- [shaking her head] This isn’t about Lucky…
Nikolas- Elizabeth… you’re happy right?
Liz- [softly] Yes…
Nikolas- Then show it… don’t hold up in here until Jason comes…
Liz- I’m not…
Nikolas- Everyone is going to know you are back in town soon enough…
Liz- I don’t want to bring any unnecessary drama…
Nikolas- Elizabeth… you are my as well as my Gia’s friend… I simply want to take you and my beautiful fiancé out for lunch. There is no drama in that.
Liz- Nikolas…
Gia- Elizabeth… come on… it won’t be as bad as you think it will be.
Liz- I don’t know…
Nikolas- We don’t have to go to Kelly’s… we can and will go wherever you choose.
Liz- [softly] This isn’t only about Lucky… what about Emily or…
Gia- What about her?
Liz- She was my bestfriend for a long time and I left without so much of a goodbye…
Gia- You told her goodbye…
Liz- Yeah but she didn’t know that. How would you react if I just up and disappeared on you?
Gia- I would understand you had reasons behind it and try my best to accept it…
Liz- [softly] But you wouldn’t…
Nikolas- But I did…
Liz- Nikolas…
Nikolas- I’ll be honest… when you first left I was scared out of my mind that something had happened to you. And because of that I threw money after every investigator that hinted that he had some clue as to where you were. And when they still came back with nothing I eventually made myself hope and believe that you were fine. And if and when you were ready to get in touch and speak with me again you would. Which is exactly what happened…
Liz- [softly] Gia knew where I was…
Nikolas- But I didn’t…
Liz- [softly] I don’t want her to hate me…
Nikolas- [smiling] She won’t…
Liz- She hated me when Jason left… she said I was the reason he left and she would never forgive me…
Nikolas- But eventually she did… besides you and Jason are together now… you have a beautiful daughter together… how can she hate you after that?
Liz- I…
Nikolas- Let’s just go and if you feel uncomfortable we will leave… no questions asked…
Liz- [softly] Ok…
Nikolas- [smiling] Ok?
Liz- [nodding] Ok…
Nikolas- [taking Gia’s hand] Where to?
Liz- [softly] Kelly’s…
Nikolas- You can choose someplace else if…
Liz- I want to go to Kelly’s… like you said before I can’t hide forever…
Gia- [quickly taking her hand before they left out] Everything is going to be all right…
Liz- [nodding as she gently squeezed her hand] I know…
Taking a deep breath Elizabeth, Nikolas, and Gia slowly made their way to Kelly's. Regardless to all the reassurances Elizabeth knew Emily nor Lucky would be happy to see her. She left them both without a real good bye and no matter what he reasons she was sure they would not accept them. Looking over at Nikolas and Gia Elizabeth softly smiled grateful that she at least still had their friendship and support, especially now with her and Jason returning home. Saying a silent prayer and as crazy as it seemed Elizabeth prayed that she did not run into Lucky or Emily until Jason stood firmly by her side.